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Strict abortion laws in Northern Ireland will come under scrutiny after MPs voted in favour of a crucial amendment.

Parliament met this afternoon to consider how to manage the ongoing political crisis in the region, as no government has sat in Stormont since the beginning of 2017.

MPs voted on a bill aimed at clarifying how decisions would be taken in the absence of ministers.

Labour MP Stella Creasy tabled an amendment saying guidance would have to be issued on how the abortion ban is compatible with human rights.

There is a growing push to legalise abortion in Northern Ireland after a referendum did so in the Republic of Ireland (Picture: Getty)

Campaigners outside Parliament two weeks ago (Picture: PA)

She had originally wanted the amendment to legalise abortion outright but was told it was outside the scope of the bill being debated.

Calling for action on abortion and equal marriage, the Labour MP said: ‘Who can make sure we don’t spend the next 10, 20, 30 years hearing the stories of shame, of hurt, of the rights abuses of the people of Northern Ireland and simply shrugging our shoulders because politicians can’t get their act together to have an assembly?

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‘People in Northern Ireland need to hear that their lives are not going to be the casualty of the chaos we’re seeing right now in Northern Ireland.’

The amendment passed by 207 votes to 117 – majority 90.

Stella Creasy tabled the bill (Picture: Parliament TV)

Women calling for abortion reform in Northern Ireland takes part in the Processions’ artwork march, in Belfast, marking 100 years since the Representation of the People Act which gave the first British women the right to vote and stand for public office (Picture: PA)

It was added to the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Bill, designed to address the governance vaccuum created by the collapse of powersharing.

With no devolved ministers acting in the country at the moment, the bill makes clear which decisions civil servants can take and which must come from Westminster.

It was designed to be administrative, but MPs Stella Creasy and Conor McGinn hope to use it for social change.

Their amendment seeks to force the Government to act to reform end the ban on same-sex marriage and abortion in all but exceptional medical circumstances, insisting both run contrary to the human rights of local people.

Northern Ireland minister Karen Bradley maintains the issues of abortion and same-sex marriage should be decided by devolved ministers.

10 minutes to go to vote – every MP can today make a meaningful difference to ensuring human rights in Northern Ireland are not forgotten in the dysfunction of devolution but protected by Secretary of State. Please ask your MP to vote yes to NC7! #NowForNI